Multiple article display package



March 5, 1968 M. J. LILLY 3,37l777 MULTIPLE ARTICLE DISPLAY PACKAGE Filed Oct. 20, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 19 lg N l5ll//// ?723 2 T 13 FIG'B INVENTOR MARTIN J. Ll LLY /J ATTORNEYS March 5, 1968 M. J. LILLY MULTIPLE ARTICLE DISPLAY PACKAGE Filed Oct. 20, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

INVENTOR MARTIN J. LLLY BY w ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofice ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention is a display package for displaying ornamental articles in original shape and comprises a backing member of cardboard or the like with an integral housing member for the articles supported therefrom. The housing has a peripheral flange for attachment to the backing member and then extends outwardly thereof to define a peripheral semi-wall for lending rigidity. A further wall extendng in spaced apart relation to the backing member closes the housing with the semiwall, the further wall comprising a plurality of individual spaced apart tapered oval compartments bulging away from the backing mem-ber and having arcuate reinforced ridges rising between the compartments longitudinally of the compartments and the backing member and transversely of the compartments and backing member. Access is had through the back of the backing member through the use of U-shaped lines of perforations connected together by a perforated line and having opposed tear-tabs for insertion of the fingers to open the back along the lines of perforations,

The present invention relates to a packaging container of a type adapted to display multiple items in their normal or unimpaired state.

While the invention has application to the packing and displaying of various articles, it will be explained in connection with ackaging 'of ornamental bows in a manner to prevent crushing, fraying, or disorienting of the loops thereof. The invention is very useful, for example, in connection with the merchandising of the pom-pom or oval configurated bow, comprising a dozen or so loops deployed in random fashion, but withthe length of the 'bow longer than the width thereby presenting the oval appearance. The displaying of such bows, in unimpaired shape, i.e., fully flufed, is an important object of this invention.

Another object of the invention is the provison of the display package susceptible to extremely inexpensive manufacture while being capable of preserving intact the shape of the packaged articles.

In line with the latter object, the preferred material for the transparent housing is conventional blistering material capable of forming the illustrated structure, which lends the necessary rigidity while forming the package. Thus, a relatively stitf backing member is preferably employed, against which the housing member or blister is set, as by heat sealing, with the packaged articles being disposed respectively in individual display compartments produced in the 'blisterand spaced from the backing member.

The structure contributing to the strength and defining the compartments comprises the housing member having a peripheral flange which is adapted for attachment to the backing member. The blister turns outwardly from the peripheral flange fixed to the backing member to become a peripheral semi-wall which is generally inturned in spaced relation to the backing member to define a further wall which is bulged in spaced apart locations to comprise the storage compartments.

Patented Mar. 5, 1963 The compartments are preferably oval in configuration for displaying oval bows and intermediate the compart- 'ments the further wall is arcuate in the form of ridges between adjacent compartments. These ridges, in conjunction with the further wall and peripheral semi-wall, atford :a great deal of rigidity for the package thereby resisting skewing, denting and fracturng in general. This configuration normally applies forces to pop out dents inadvertently formed therein. Edge forces normal to the plane of the backing member merely bend the flange and backing member and do not rupture or deform the compartments.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of access means via the backing member, of a type precluding damage to the ornamental bows. Oppositely disposed generally U-shaped, perforated outlnes extend inwardly comprising the major area of the backing member. However, they are terminated in spaced apart relation with a single perforation line extending therebetween. Arcuate cuts are disposed within each U-shaped configuration to define pointed ovals of a size enabling the thumb to depress or pull out such a tab in order that the U-shaped configurations may be gripped and torn outwardly, enabling the removal of the bows from the compartments.

Thus, another object of the invention is the provison of such a sturdy display package for multiple articles in expanded or opened condition with facilities for ready access thereto.

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description thereof, when taken in the light of the accompanying drawing Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the display package;

FIG. 2 is a View in side elevation of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a View in end elevation of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation taken on a plane 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section taken along the plane 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a back view of the backing member.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the transparent housing mernber or covering 11 is shown afiixed to a planar backing member 13 of relatively rigid material, such as cardboard or heavy paper. The material of the housing is generally conventional blistering material, such as 10- gauge vinyl.

The housing 11 includes a peripheral flange 15, which is adapted to be heat sealed or otherwise afiixed to backing member 13, with articles (not shown) in place in the compartments 19. While four compartments 19 are illustrated, the invention contemplates other numbers of such compartments. For bows measuring approximately 5" x 3" and backing sheets of 8 /2" X 15", four compartments are optimum and still aiford space at the top of backing member 13 (in the vicinity of hanging hole 21) for printing, such as advertising, price, and description of the goods.

The housing member 11 includes a peripheral semiwall 23 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) integral with flange 15 and extending outwardly of planar member 13 in a direction normal thereto.

The peripheral semi-wall 23 is inturned to define a further wall 25. The further wall 25 is flat in the regions 25' and includes arcuate ridges 25" intermediate the compartments 19. The wall 25 opens outwardly from the backing member 13 in the oval configurations 19 to form these compartments in conjunction with backing member 13. The tapered oval walls 19' may be seen in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show sections through the integral housing member 11 better to reveal the compartments. The arcuate ridges 25", adjacent compartments 19, are best seen in FIG. 4. Also, it should be apparent from FIG. 1 that the ridges 25" which are opposite each other laterally are higher and narrower than the ridges 25" which extend longitudinally of backing member 13.

Since the package is durable, it is difficult to open the same without utilizing forces sufficient to damage the ornamental articles housed therein. It is for this reason that the access structure, depicited in FIG. 6, has been incorporated in backing member 13. Perforations 31, generally extend inwardly in large U-shaped configurations to define two large spaced-apart areas 33 with a single perforated line 35 extending therebetween. Tear or punch tabs 37 are provided by cuts 39 and further perforations 41 extendng across the inner ends of the U-shaped configurations to define pointed ovals which aceommodate the user-s thumb in depressing the tear tabs 37 in order that the forenger may reach under cut 39 and remove a U-shaped area 33. Access is then had to the bows in two of the compartments with ready availabilty across perforated line 35 to the other compartments. Alternatively, the thumb and forefinger may open both tabs 37, thus enabling both areas 33 to be quickly removed without damage to the bows contained therein.

The package of this invention is adapted to display four different-colored bows supported from the hangable backing member 13 through use of the aperture 21 while presenting the display area for advertising media on both sides of the aperture 21 on the front of the backing member 13.

As other and further objects and embodiments of the invention will doubtless occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the description herein presented, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claim wherein:

What is claimed is:

1. A display package for containing and displaying ornamental articles in original shape, comprising in combination, a backing member of relatively stiff material;

an integral transparent housing member for said articles comprising a peripheral fiange adapted for attachment to said backing member; said housing member comprising a peripheral semi-wall for lending rigidity as part of the housing member extending outwardly of the backing member from the peripheral flange; said housing mernber comprising a further wall extending in spaced apart relaton to the backing member from the semi-wall to close the housing member; said further wall comprising a plurality of individual spaced-apart tapered, oval compartments bulging away from the backing member and arcuate reinforcing ridges rising between the compartments longitudnally of the compartments and the backing member and transversely of the compartments and backing member whereby the compartments open from the backing member as `bulges in said further wall; said backing member being perforated inwardly from opposite edges thereof generally arcuately to define spacedapart U-shaped configurations each opening toward opposed longitudinal edges of the backing member, and, further comprising a line of perforations extending between said U-shaped configurations across the spacing therebetween; and substantially oval shaped lines of perforations across the U-shaped extremities for punch-out in order to facilitate graspng and removal of the U- shaped backing member configurations outwardly toward the edges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,892,541 6/1959 Hahn 206-78 3,250,387 5/1966 Jacobson et al. 206-78 D. 190,396 5/1961 Robinson 206-78 X 2,839,183 6/1958 La Rosa 229-511 X 3,019,944 2/1962 Nelson et al.

3,036,729 5/1962 Asman 229-511 X JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, P'imary Exam'e'.

THERON E. CONDON, Examiner.

I. M. CASKIE, Assistant Exam'ner. 

